VietNamNet Bridge – Vietnam Register is drawing up a scheme to control emissions from motorcycles and plans to execute it on a trial basis in late 2017, said general director of Vietnam Register Tran Ky Hinh.

Motorcycle riders are stuck in a traffic jam in HCMC. Vietnam will start to control emissions from motorcycles in late 2017 -- Photo: Le Anh

According to Hinh, the Government has agreed on tighter controls on emissions from motorcycles and the agency is refining the scheme for the Ministry of Transport to submit it to the Government for consideration and approval.

“We plan to carry out the pilot scheme in certain cities and provinces at the end of 2017 before expanding it to other parts of the nation,” he told the Daily last week.

Vietnam is applying Euro 2 emission standards to limit environmental pollution caused by vehicles and will introduce Euro 3 standards for motorcycles and Euro 4 standards for autos in 2017. In 2020, autos will have to meet Euro 5 standards.

According to statistics of the Ministry of Transport, there are around two million autos and 40 million motorcycles nationwide. More than half of the motorcycles do not meet emissions standards.

Asked to comment on concern about big motorcycles on expressways if they are not tested properly, Hinh said the Ministry of Transport has left open the possibility of allowing such bikes on expressways but all imported motorcycles must meet registry requirements of Vietnam before they are licensed on the road.

“Speed limits applicable to heavy duty motorcycles will be decided on road conditions and traffic controls,” Hinh said.